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Staff Meeting

Improving Our Communities

Programs

Community engagement is part of our mission at 7th Step, because we empower all of our members to help others and give back to the community. Whenever possible we hire our members, preferably individuals with lived experience, because we understand the barriers to finding meaningful employment with a criminal record. Instead of seeing a record as a liability, we understand the value of lived experience and how it can be harnessed to improve the community.  ​We are committed to supporting and partnering with other community organizations to help our members and strengthen social bonds in our communities.   Discover more about our efforts below and get in touch to stay up to date with our projects. 

How We Support 

Our programs are not only for individuals who have had conflict with the law, to break the cycle of recidivism, they are for anyone who wants to change and be a productive member of society. The 7th Step Society of NS is another tool to support individuals, in our communities, to find a better way to live.

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Community Outreach Presentations:

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​​Sharing our stories with community groups, schools, universities and treatment centres teachs audiences about the criminal justice system, what it's like to
leave an institution, what supports are available and how the 7th Step Society fills the gap in services for people who have had conflict with the law. (Deterrent)

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Peer Support Training (28 training hours):

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​​​This program is designed to introduce the principles of peer support & the role of a peer support worker. It covers the fundamental aspects of peer support
to serve as the basis for program individuals to begin their journey
in the peer support field. We hope to facilitate this training program
within the community, in our province, and across Canada.

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Reintegration Program (24 training hours): Planning for

 

Successful Reintegration into the community:​

​ This program covers the following:
 

Week 1 - Stress Management, Recovery/Relapse Prevention.
Week 2 - Emotions & Self Management
Week 3 - Relationships
Week 4 - Future Goals, Bringing It Together, and Employment & Education
Week 5 - My Plan for Release, Community Supports & Making Connection

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Street Group Meetings: ​

 

These are the single most important aspect of 7th Step because meetings provide a safe space for members to speak freely about their week, to share their struggles and successes, and swap potential solutions. Confidentiality is very important to 7th Step! The key difference of 7th Step from other support groups is the presence of volunteer members. Volunteers provide support in various ways from informal problem solving, connection building & emotional support

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Taking Responsibility (17 training hours): ​​

This program focuses on the 7 Steps: how can we change, change negative thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours through accountability of past

transgressions as well as being accountable for current choices. In
addition: discussions of strengths and weaknesses (including how
those strengths can help to succeed in the community), being real,
honest and responsible, goal setting, problem solving, and
developing new coping skills and strategies. We discuss how having
the desire to “do something different” with their lives is what will
assist with their successes - including staying away from negative
people, things, and events that originally led them away from their
freedom. The 7 steps act as guiding principles for our members as
they navigate life.

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We acknowledge that we are meeting in Mi’kma’ki (meeg-ma-gee), the ancestral and unceded territory\of the Mi’kmaq (meeg-mah) People. 

We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.


As we work through the 7 Steps to Freedom, we commit  to the work it takes to create a culturally safe, inclusive  and anti-racist culture within our 7th Step street group  meetings each and every week. 

We acknowledge the equality of all communities and we  encourage respect and kindness toward these  communities in our meetings and in our daily lives.

The 7 Steps Pledge - Mi'kmaq

 

Kejitu ta'n tel seyey wejiaq ta'n telita'si aqq tel-lukwey ni'n wesuwa'lsi ankaptmn aqq wkswa'tun taqoey teliaq ukjit ni'n siaw klo'tmn ta'n tel-seyey na' tal-lukwen mimajuaqniktuk apoqnmuan ktikik ta'n ni'n teli apoqnmuksiap

The 7 Steps Pledge - English

 

Knowing that my freedom depends upon my thoughts and actions; I hereby pledge:

To face and accept the truth about myself, to maintain my freedom, to become a useful member of society, to help others as I am now being helped. 

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The 7 Steps Pledge - French

 

Engagement de la 7th Step

Sachant que ma liberté dépend de mes pensées et de mes actions, je m’engage par la présente à
Faire face à la vérité sur moi-même et l’accepter, conserver mon libre-arbitre, devenir un membre utile de la société et aider les autres comme on m’aide actuellement.

Contact Us
ns7thstep@yahoo.com
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Core Group Members Only

Our funders and community partners play a crucial role in everything we accomplish. Their support is invaluable to our mission. We couldn't do it without them.

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  • Mental Health Foundation of NS

  • The Northpine Foundation

  • Saint Mary's University

  • Department of Justice Province of NS Correctional Services

  • Dalhousie University

  • NSCC

  • The United Way

  • Nova Scotia Justice: Public Safety and Security Division

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©2023 by 7th Step Society NS. - All Rights Reserved. Registered Charity # 749295333 RR001

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